Warnock details scouting trip

Neil Warnock has confirmed he was in France this week on a Cardiff scouting trip as he steps up his January transfer window plans.

Warnock has made no secret of the fact he wants to reinforce his Bluebirds squad next month and he's been busy checking out potential targets.

Nantes striker Emiliano Sala was the likely player he and assistant Kevin Blackwell were watching on Wednesday in Nantes' 3-2 win over Marseille, but Warnock admitted in his press conference he has multiple players on his radar.

He said: "We went all over, I went to watch a full-back, midfielder and striker. It’s alright talking about it, but it’s difficult in January. We’ve looked at five or six strikers. "Another game that I took in, I asked the question 'are they better than Ken Zohore?' Ken is training now and he’s got to get his finger out now.

"The ones we’re looking at, Ken’s got it all in his locker now.

"We’ve got to find the players that we want and then recommend the players to the club. Then it’s down to the club to do a deal, whether it be permanent or a loan. You will get knockbacks in January. We’ll try and have as many backups as we can.

"We’re out all the time now in Europe, South America is a little more difficult and certain leagues finish - we’ve been looking as far afield as Russia."

Warnock's priorities appear to be a goalscorer and a right-back as he's short of options in those areas in particular but he knows he's limited in terms of what he can do next month.

He added: "Obviously we’re looking at a right-back, we’ve got (Lee) Peltier but then only Bruno (Ecuele Manga). Then we’ve only got Gunnars (Aron Gunnarssson), the only defensive midfielder in the squad.

"We’ve only got one more loan player in England, so unless we buy them permanently we’re only going to get one. We’re looking abroad but also looking at English players who can’t get game time."

This article originated on sportinastorm.com

Aidan Perkins is a senior journalist that specialises in football stories. Aidan, a Liverpool fan, also has a broad knowledge of several other sports.

The Wire

13:36 Widnes Vikings have gone into administration and been deducted 12 points.⌁

12:55 Milan Skriniar, linked with move to Man United, says he is "close" to signing new Inter Milan deal.⌁

12:51 Arsenal have been drawn to play Rennes in Europa League last 16 while Chelsea take on Dynamo Kiev.⌁

12:16 Eddie Howe believes injury problems this season have been "devastating" for Bournemouth.⌁